Hand clipper

ABSTRACT

A portable, hand-held clipper device including first and second shaped, molded plastic members pivotally interconnected intermediate their ends. The jaw end of one of the members is provided with blade means to cooperate with anvil means formed on the jaw end of the other member. The other ends of both members form handles for manipulation of the device.

O 1 Umted States Patent [11] 3,772,783

Averitt 1451 Nov. 20, 1973 [541 HAND CLIPPER 3,054,182 9/1962 Whitton 30/179 [76] Inventor: Marnie C. Averitt, 107 Westdale CLTimonium, M d 21093 Pnmary Examiner-Donald G. Kelly Assistant ExaminerJ. C. Peters [22] Flled: 1972 Att0mey.loseph R. Slotnik [21] Appl. No.: 238,913

[57] ABSTRACT [52] U.S. Cl. 30/186, 30/260 A portable, hand-held pp dcvicc including fi [51] Int. Cl B26b 17/04 and Second p molded plastic m s p ally [58] Field of Search 30/178, 179, 186, interconnected intermediate their cnds- The j end 91, 229, 260, 261, 341, 175, 193 of one of the members is provided with blade means to cooperate with anvil means formed on the jaw end [56] Reference Cited of the other member. The other ends of both members UNITED STATES PATENTS form handles for manipulation of the device.

3,284,899 ll 1966 Mercorelli 30/229 4 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures 3,372,482

3/1968 Mercorelli 30/229 HAND CLIPPER SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a small, compact, and inexpensive clipper device embodying a pair of pivotally interconnected molded plastic members forming cooperable jaws and handles. One jaw has a razor-type blade fixed thereto while the other jaw forms an anvil. If desired, the jaw may be formed for removal and replacement of the blade. Spring means normally biases the jaws and handles apart, while stop means limits the extent to which they can open. Since the jaws and handles are formed of electrically insulating material, the clipper is highly safe in use, even when cutting electrical wiring. Further, the construction is very light in weight and can readily be formed to the desired contour and shape. Also, the relatively few parts utilized renders the device very inexpensive, yet very reliable.

Main objects of the present invention, therefore, are to provide an improved clipper embodying basically two molded plastic members pivoted at an intermediated point and forming cooperating jaws and handles, wherein the construction forms a small, lightweight, and inexpensive device having relatively few parts.

Further important objects of the present invention are to provide an improved clipper of the above character which is constructed for easy, one-hand operation, and which electrically insulates the users hand from the article being clipped.

Still further important objects are to provide an improved clipper of the above character which embodies a blade and anvil arrangement, and which may incorporate a removable and replaceable blade assembly.

Additional objects are to provide an improved clipper which is aesthetically pleasing in appearance, rugged in construction, and reliable in use.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from a consideration of the detailed description to follow taken in conjunction with the drawings annexed hereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating a-clipper embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but partly in section and showing the jaws and handles open and the blade partly broken away;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of FIG. 2 taken along the line 4--4 thereof;

FIG. 5 is an end view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing a removable blade arrangement;

FIG. 7 is a side view, partly in section, showing a modified clipper;

FIG. 8 is a top view of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view showing normal wear on the anvil jaw caused by the blade.

BROAD STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION Broadly described, the present invention relates to a clipper comprising a pair of elongated, unitary, molded plastic members, means pivotally interconnecting said members intermediate their length, said members being shaped forwardly of said pivot forming jaws, and rearwardly of said pivot forming handles, spring means normally biasing said handles and jaw apart, means limiting pivotal movement of said members, a straightedged blade carried by one of said jaws, the other of said jaws being provided with a generally flat anvil surface cooperable with said blade edge, said handles being adapted for one-hand manipulation and movement toward each other whereby to move said jaws toward each other and clip a workpiece between said blade and said anvil.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now more specifically to the drawings, a clipper embodying the present invention is shown generally at 11 in FIGS. 1-3 and is seen to include a pair of elongated members 13, 15 pivotally interconnected intermediate their ends by a rivet 17. The members 13, 15 are shaped forwardly of their pivot forming jaws 19, 21, and rearwardly of their pivot forming handles 23, 25, respectively.

The members 13, 15 are desirably each formed of one-piece, molded plastic material having high strength, shock resistant characteristics. For example, high density, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) materials have been found to be highly satisfactory. These materials advantageously are electrically insulating and render the clipper safe even when working on electrical wir ing. Furthermore, these materials are relatively inexpensive, light in weight, easily molded to the desired shape and contour. As will be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the handles 23, 25 may be hollowed out for weight reduction. In addition, for stability, the member 13 is formed with a slot 27, in the area of the pivot, through which slot 27 the member 15 extends.

The jaw 19 carries a straight-edged blade 29 adapted to cooperatively engage an anvil surface 31 on the jaw 21. The blade 29 may be molded in place in the jaw 19. Alternatively, the jaw 19 may be formed, as shown, with a removable clamp 33 so that the blade 29 may be removed and replaced. In this case, the jaw 19 may be provided with a projection 35 adapted to fit in a slot 37 in the blade 29, and in a slot 39 in the clamp 33. A screw 41 extends through openings 13, 45 in the clamp 33 and blade 29 and threads into an opening 47 in the jaw 19. When in place, the blade 29 is solidly backed by-a surface 48 on the jaw 19 against forces arising on the blade 29 during normal clipping.

In use, the clipper 11 is readied by releasing a retainer 49, carried by the handle 23, from the handle 25. A spring 51, mounted on posts 53, 55 formed on members 13, 15, forces apart the handles 23, 25 and spreads the jaws 19, 21, this opening or spreading movement being limited by engagement between an edge 57 on the member 25 and the edge of slot 27, as seen in FIG. 2. Thereafter, the user places the article to be clipped between the jaws 19, 21 and squeezes the handles 23, 25 together thereby bringing the blade 29 against the anvil surface 31 and causing the article to be clipped. When pressure on the handles 23, 25 is relaxed, the jaws 19, 21 reopen.

A modified form of clipper is shown at 61 in FIGS. 7 and 8 and is seen to include one-piece, molded plastic members 63, 65 pivotally interconnected by a rivet 67. Member 63 is provided with a shaped jaw 63 and a shaped handle 69, while member 65 has a jaw 71 and a handle 73. A straightedged blade 75 is molded in place in jaw 63, and jaw 71 is formed with a generally flat, anvil surface 77. A torsion spring 79 normally biases the handles 69, 73 and jaws 68, 71 toward an open position.

The clipper 61 functions in substantially the same manner as the clipper l1 and need not be described further here. However, one interesting point is that, in use, the blade edge 79 may wear a groove 81 in the anvil surface 77. This is not objectionable, though, since it helps facilitate clipping action of the blade on a workpiece.

It will be appreciated that the clipper disclosed herein is a very small, compact, inexpensive, and lightweight device that nevertheless is rugged, safe and reliable in use. It will also be appreciated that the forms of the invention described are illustrative, and that various additions, substitutions, modifications and omissions may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention.

1 claim 1. A clipper comprising a pair of elongaged, unitary, molded plastic members, means pivotally interconnecting said members intermediate their length, said members being shaped forwardly of said pivot forming jaws, and rearwardly of said pivot forming handles, spring means normally biasing said handles and said jaws apart, means adjacent said pivot including cooperating shoulders on said members limiting pivotal movement of said handles apart from one another whereby said handles are always retained in position for one-hand manipulation, a straight-edged blade carried by one of said jaws, the other of said jaws being formed with a generally flat anvil surface cooperable with said blade edge when said jaws are moved toward each other, said handles being adapted for one-hand manipulation and movement toward each other whereby to move said jaws toward each other and clip a workpiece between said blade and said anvil.

2. A clipper as defined in claim 1 wherein said one jaw includes a detachable clamp releasably securing said blade in place thereon, said blade being solidly backed by said one jaw against arising normally arasing during clipping.

3. A clipper as defined in claim 1 wherein said members are constructed from high-density, polyvinyl chloride.

4. A clipper comprising a pair of elongated, unitary, molded plastic members, means pivotally interconnecting said members, said members being shaped rearwardly of said pivot forming handles, spring means normally biasing said handles apart, means adjacent said pivot including cooperating shoulders on said members limiting pivotal movement of said handles apart from one another whereby said handles are always retained in position for one-hand manipulation, a straight-edged blade rigid with one of said members and positioned forwardly of said pivot, the other of said members being shaped forwardly of said pivot to form a generally flat anvil surface cooperable with said blade edge, when said blade is moved toward said anvil, said handles being adapted for one-hand manipulation and movement toward each other and said closed position whereby to move said blade and said anvil toward each other and clip a workpiece therebetween. 

1. A clipper comprising a pair of elongaged, unitary, molded plastic members, means pivotally interconnecting said members intermediate their length, said members being shaped forwardly of said pivot forming jaws, and rearwardly of said pivot forming handles, spring means normally biasing said handles and said jaws apart, means adjacent said pivot including cooperating shoulders on said members limiting pivotal movement of said handles apart from one another whereby said handles are always retained in position for one-hand manipulation, a straight-edged blade carried by one of said jaws, the other of said jaws being formed with a generally flat anvil surface cooperable with said blade edge when said jaws are moved toward each other, said handles being adapted for one-hand manipulation and movement toward each other whereby to move said jaws toward each other and clip a workpiece between said blade and said anvil.
 2. A clipper as defined in claim 1 wherein said one jaw includes a detachable clamp releasably securing said blade in place thereon, said blade being solidly backed by said one jaw against arising normally arasing during clipping.
 3. A clipper as defined in claim 1 wherein said members are constructed from high-density, polyvinyl chloride.
 4. A clipper comprising a pair of elongated, unitary, molded plastic members, means pivotally interconnecting said members, said members being shaped rearwardly of said pivot forming handles, spring means normally biasing said handles apart, means adjacent said pivot including cooperating shoulders on said members limiting pivotal movement of said handles apart from one another whereby said handles are always retained in position for one-hand manipulation, a straight-edged blade rigid with one of said members and positioned forwardly of said pivot, the other of said members being shaped forwardly of said pivot to form a generally flat anvil surface cooperable with said blade edge, when said blade is moved toward said anvil, said handles being adapted for one-hand manipulation and movement toward each other and said closed position whereby to move said blade and said anvil toward each other and clip a workpiece therebetween. 